I had to do one of the hardest things i have ever had to do this weekend - tell my 4 year old daughter that our family pet, a 10 year old labrador cross called leon, had died. In the early hours of sunday he woke us up clearly in discomfort, within a few minutes he had passed away. My daughter took it well, we werent sure she really understood as she seemed to take it in her stride. But as the day wore on and it became more apparent to her that he wasnt coming home she became more upset; by night time she was distraugt.
It amazes me the attachment that people, myself included, have to their pets. I guess they are a part of the family, they live in your home, take part in family events, who hasnt bought a christmas present for their dog or cat. So it is not surprising that when they pass away we are upset. They are not a substitute for humans, but they play a very big part in our family life.
Im sure we will get another dog very soon, i would find it very quite in the house not to have one.
james
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